Size Normal on the Right. Size Pregnant on the Left.

Dear LittleDude,

Right now, I'm laying on the couch, avoiding today's to-do list (as usual), and you are wiggling around inside my belly. The funny thing is, you're hanging out almost completely on the left side of my belly, so if someone looked at me from just the right angle, I might not even look pregnant.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Braxton-Hicks?

Dear LittleDude,

I'm not sure what you're doing in there, or if you're doing anything at all, but I hope these Braxton-Hicks things stop pretty soon. It's not painful, but it IS uncomfortable, and it makes me worry. You aren't due to meet me and Daddy for another ten weeks. Isn't it just a bit early to be practicing? Kick back (okay, maybe don't kick so much; I'm a little sore), relax, take a nap, and enjoy your lack of view. Okay?

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Just In Case

Dear LittleDude,

Yesterday, I went to drink the even ickier glucose "soda" so the doctors can determine whether or not our pineapple and ice cream cravings are going to get curbed.

I haven't heard anything from them yet, but something tells me we should go ahead and eat a big bowl of pineapple and then go to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone... just in case.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

I Sing

Dear LittleDude,

Today, I finally stopped. I think I've been running around for months, always looking at the next thing. First, it was getting to the start of the semester in school. Then it was midterms. Then Daddy coming home. Then finals. Then leave. Then being sick and in the hospital. (Well, I wasn't looking forward to that, exactly, but it happened, and we're okay.) Then the holidays in Minnesota. And since then, I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off just trying to get everything ready for your arrival (which isn't done...but, hey, I'm only human, and you might as well learn that now).

But today, just a few minutes ago, I finally stopped. Just for a minute. And I fell in love more than I ever thought possible, one more time. No TV, no music, no barking dog going nuts about the noisy maintenance people who are doing invisible work in the hallway. Just me on the couch with you kicking inside my belly. And I sang. And I think you liked it and drifted off to sleep. I am so in love, it's ridiculous.

Love, Mommy

Hanging In There

Dear LittleDude,


I'm a little freaked out. I found out that I failed my 1-hour glucose test and will have to take a 3-hour glucose test to be screened for gestational diabetes. What this means for you is that you could be having some little problems in there. What it means for Mommy is that I might have a little more trouble keeping you strong and healthy and not huge until you can come out and meet us. 


I keep having mini-nightmares (well, daymares since I haven't been sleeping too well at night) about things going wrong. I'm still afraid we could lose you. And beyond that, I'm afraid of failing epidurals, you being too big, you coming too early, baby weight that won't come off, stretch marks, the parts of delivery and recovery no one tells you about until you're already pregnant, finding a decent outfit in size whale for the baby shower Gammoo and Teresa are throwing for us, etc. And on top if it all, I have a sudden urge to scavenge through the kitchen like a starved raccoon every twenty minutes. 


I just can't wait until I can see your little face and hold you in my arms.


Love, Mommy

Monkey Kicks

Dear LittleDude,


Today, for the first time, you decided to kick back if I poked my belly while you were already kicking. I love this game. You'll kick and then stop. Then I'll poke. Then you'll kick in a slightly different spot. Then I'll poke. It can go on and on for quite awhile, and I love every kick you make because it took so long for me to be able to feel you moving around in there! 


You even play your little game with Lucky. In fact, I think she's your favorite playmate. This morning, she was curled up on my belly, purring to you as usual when you decided to kick her. Of course, she just stared down at my belly as if to say, "What'd you do THAT for?" but then she settled back down and started kneading right where you'd kicked. Of course, you kicked her again. And of course, she stopped, gave you "the look," and started kneading again. You two probably played that game for a good half an hour. Silly cat. Silly LittleDude. (I wonder what would happen if I started playing "Hamster Dance" while the cat was sitting on my belly. Maybe we'll try that when Daddy gets home.)

LittleDude!

Dear LittleDude,

Today was a big day. Not only did you "meet" Daddy for the first time, but we also found out that you're a LittleDude instead of a LittleChick!

The day started with me, Gammoo, PawPaw, and Lulu going to the airfield to wait for Daddy's plane to arrive. When it did, we stood outside and watched Daddy and all the soldiers walk off the plane and start to line up. After that, we went inside and waited for them to march in. After we thanked God for bringing your Daddy and all the other soldiers back home safely, someone gave a short speech and then let everyone find their families. When Daddy found us, the first thing he did was hug and kiss me and then bend down to send you a kiss through my belly.

We had to let Daddy go back to work after that, but while he was there, PawPaw took me to see the doctor, and she was able to let us see you and to tell me you were a LittleDude. I didn't let her tell me, though. I asked her to write it down and seal it up so Daddy & I could read it together. Then we went to pick up Daddy at work, and he & I read the news together. So now you have two nicknames. You'll always be my Monkey, but now you're my LittleDude, too!

I love you.
Love, Mommy